Where is Japan's "Planet-B" Mars Probe?

From: Ignatius Graffeo <Ufoseek@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 08:09:14 EDT
Fwd Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 17:57:01 -0400
Subject: Where is Japan's "Planet-B" Mars Probe?
On July 4, 1998 when Pathfinder landed on Mars, Japan launched
their PLANET-B Nozomi (means hope) to Mars. It was supposed to
arrive in Mars orbit earlier this month, and send back pictures.
Here is the original Reuters story:
Japan Probe Heads For Mars With All Systems Go
http://www.ufoseek.org/News/Japmars2.htm
Japan's official Planet B website (still online, but seems to
have been abandoned)
http://www.planet-b.isas.ac.jp/index-e.html
There have been no updates there since Dec. 25, 1998!!
I don't recall hearing any subsequent announcements about the
mission, good or bad. Maybe I missed something. What happened to
it? It seems a bit strange nothing has been said about this
mission for well over a year. I have sent an e-mail inquiry from
their website ( yyoshida@stp.isas.ac.jp ) Anyone who has
information about this please contact Ufoseek@aol.com
Naz
http://www.ufoseek.org